Vermont police find missing Monkton man dead

May 4, 2012

Police say Ralph Meader, 65, was found dead after he failed to return from a hike in Bristol. / Courtesy photo

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Staff, wire reports

MONKTON - Vermont State Police troopers say a 65-year-old Monkton man reported missing when he didn't return from a hike has been found dead.

Police say Ralph Meader, 65, was reported missing at about 6:30 p.m. Thursday. His body was found at about 4:40 a.m. Friday off the east side of Bristol Road in Monkton.

Police say Meader's death does not appear to be suspicious, but detectives are investigating. His body has been taken to the office of the Vermont Medical Examiner for autopsy.

Meader was reported missing after he failed to return from a hike.

State Police said a search started immediately after they were called about an overdue hiker at 6:29 p.m. The Monkton Fire Department and Vermont Fish and Wildlife Department were called in on the search at about 6:40 p.m., police said.

The overnight search ended at about 4:38 a.m. this morning when Meader was found deceased in water by a New England K9 Search and Rescue unit. Police said he was found about 50 feet from the shoreline in a swamp off the east side of Bristol Road.

State Police troopers were assisted in the search by game wardens and the Bristol and Monkton fire departments.